Calvary Baptist Church service pays homage to local military heroes

Sunday

This year, U.S. Army Specialist Zachary Shannon, U.S. Marine Cpl. Ronald Payne Jr. and U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Stewart were honored for giving the ultimate sacrifice during duty.

LAKELAND — For 14 years, Ron and Aileen Payne have worked to coordinate a special Memorial Day service at their home church. And for 15 years, the memories remain vivid, the cause remains honored and justified, and the tears remain flowing.

On Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church, the Paynes joined about 800 others — retired and active military, JROTC high school students, first responders, families, friends and area dignitaries — in the church's annual Memorial Day Weekend Service.

Inside the church at 1945 N. Florida Ave., a program brought together folks from across Polk County and beyond to honor and pay tribute to military heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice during duty.

This year, U.S. Army Specialist Zachary Shannon, U.S. Marine Cpl. Ronald Payne Jr. — the Paynes' son — and U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Stewart were honored for their service.

In front of the church platform, a table was set up bearing two guns with Shannon's and Payne's combat helmets perched on top and Stewart's Air Force officer's service cap placed on top of a white wooden cross in between. At the bottom of each was a folded American flag and pictures of each of the deceased soldiers.

Pews had been set aside for each of the soldiers' families, including Chip and Kim Allison of Dunedin, Shannon's parents. For each, the Memorial Day service meant more than a day off from the office or day at the beach.

Shannon was killed March 11, 2013, in a helicopter crash in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He's buried in Dunedin.

Payne was the first Marine killed in combat in Afghanistan on May 7, 2004. He was the only one of 2,200 men in his unit who did not return.

Stewart was an Air Force pilot shot down in Vietnam, having previously served in World War II and Korea. He was missing for 52 years until 2018 when his remains were located and brought home to Winter Haven. He left behind a wife and six children. His family members attended the service.

The Allisons have three other sons who also served: Steve Shannon, 31, U.S. Army; Joe Mirrone, 38, U.S. Army; and Robert Mirrione, 36, U.S. Navy.

“We heard about this (service) from the Gold Star parents and they do an awesome program,” said Chip Allison, who served from 1984 to 1991 in the U.S. Army. “This is a way to show appreciation on Memorial Day. We really appreciate the meaning of Memorial Day since we lost Zach; it's a time for respect and reflection.”

The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by the Mulberry High School JROTC; the national anthem was sung by Sarah Lovette, whose brother, Army Sgt. Eddie Lee Nails, was killed in action May 9, 1970; and a welcome was given by Calvary's pastor, the Rev. Shane Skelton, before Gold Star families, military veterans and first responders were recognized.

Payne Jr.'s platoon commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Kinitz, also attended. He was notified of Ron's death in combat just hours before being contacted by the Red Cross about the birth of his own son. That son, Will Kinitz, spoke at the service and shared his feelings on being born the day Payne Jr. died.

“I've changed a lot since then,” said John Kinitz. “Memorial Day has become more meaningful for me over the years. It is really to celebrate family.”

The Memorial Day Weekend Service also included video montages of the three soldiers' lives, patriotic songs by the Calvary Baptist Church choir, a recognition of six of Payne Jr.'s fellow Marines and letters from Shannon's and Stewart's families read by U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jerry Wooten of the Mulberry JRTOC and U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Kent Pfremmer.

“He was willing to go into harm's way not once, but many times," Pfremmer said of Stewart. "For his family, he is their hero and their hero is finally home."

In a solemn section of the service, Wooten had military and first responders stand and did a silent roll call as Taps was played. He asked the audience if "anyone knows the whereabouts” of the three soldiers killed in action. The response was silence.

The service concluded with a message by U.S. Army Chaplain Maj. Phil Kramer of Lake Wales. In a compassionate, yet direct speech, he spoke of the power of the U.S. Constitution, the pitfalls of Socialism, the price of freedom and said “you cannot change the human heart through ... violence.”

“As Americans, we must be reminded from time to time of the bill that must be paid (for freedom)," he said. "If it is not paid, we are only one or two generations from where we do not want to go."

Over the past 13 years, the Paynes have honored 62 servicemen and servicewomen. In 2015, they honored those in World War II; in 2016, the Korean War; in 2017, Vietnam; and 2018, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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